Player Profiles
Stephen Cole
Name: Stephen Cole
Position: Midfield
School: St. Andrews College
Club: Monkstown, HC
1st Cap: July 2011 V Egypt
Favourite sporting moment to date: Lifting the IHL trophy alongside my three brothers
Age started playing hockey: 6
Who has had the most influence on your career: My parents
Best advice you received from a coach: Always believe you can add value
Advice to young hockey players: Work hard at mastering the basics, it’s makes everything else easier. Watch as much top-level hockey as possible and above all have fun along the way.
Instagram: @Stephendcole
Twitter: @stephendcole
Shane O’Donoghue
Name: Shane O’Donoghue
Position: Midfield
Club: Glenanne H.C.
School: The High School Dublin
1st Cap: April 2011 Vs Canada in UCD
Favourite sporting moment to date: Representing Ireland at the 2016 Rio Olympics
Age started playing hockey: 6
Who has had the most influence on your career: I am incredibly lucky to have a great support network who have been there in the high and low moments of my career. My Dad from a young age would have always pushed me to be the best I can in whatever I do.
Best advice you received from a coach: “Control the controllables”
Advice to young hockey players: Enjoy the journey you go on, enjoy the opportunities that sport offers and enjoy the moments that will become great memories
Instagram: @shane.od
Twitter: @shaneod16
Sean Murray
Name: Sean Murray
Position: Midfield
Club: KHC Leuven
School: Wallace High School
1st Cap: October 2015 against Argentina
Favourite sporting moment to date: Playing in the 2018 Hockey World cup in India
Age started playing hockey: 8
Who has had the most influence on your career: Family
Best advice you received from a coach: Enjoy the process.
Advice to young hockey players: Most importantly have fun, enjoy hockey and play as much as possible.
Instagram: @sean1murray
Twitter:@sean5597
Stuart Loughrey
Name: Stuart Loughrey
Position: Defence
School: St Andrews College
Club: Bath Bucaneers
1st Cap: Canada 2011
Favourite sporting moment to date: Qualifying for the World Cup and the World Cup opening game against Australia
Age they began playing at: 9
Who has had the most influence on your career: Coach – Paul Revington, on the pitch – Ronan Gormley
Best advice you received from a coach: Keep a scrapbook and write down your thoughts post-training and games. You will learn a lot about yourself over the years.
Advice to young hockey players: Surround yourself with positive and driven teammates that want to rewrite the history books
Instagram: @stuartloughrey
Twitter: @stuloughrey
Michael Robson
Name: Michael Robson
Position: Midfield
School: Sullivan Upper School
Club: Crefelder HTC
1st Cap: January 2014 v Spain
Favourite sporting moment to date: European Bronze 2015
Age started playing hockey: 9
Who has had the most influence on your career: Parents
Best advice you received from a coach: Play with freedom
Advice to young hockey players: Work hard and enjoy playing
Instagram: @mrobson_22
Twitter: @mrobson22
Lee Cole
Name: Lee Cole
Position: Defender
School: St. Andrews College
Club: Monkstown HC
1st Cap: Feb 2015 vs France
Favourite sporting moment to date: Walking onto the field game 1 vs Australia at the World Cup
Age started playing hockey: 6
Who has had the most influence on your career: Graham Shaw
Best advice you received from a coach: Nail the simple things without fail
Advice to young hockey players: Play hard and leave it all on the pitch.
Instagram: @leecole29
Twitter : @leecole29
Johnny Mckee
Name: Johnny McKee
Position: Forward
Club: Crefelder
School: Banbridge Academy
1st Cap: My first international was against Argentina in 2017
Favourite sporting moment to date: I have many sporting moments that I have enjoyed these include EHL round 1 with Banbridge HC at havelock park, winning WL2 and Hamburg masters with Ireland.
Age started playing hockey: Since I was a baby I had a hockey stick in my hand
Who has had the most influence on your career: Family
Best advice you received from a coach: Play with freedom
Advice to young hockey players: Always try and have fun in training and in matches
Instagram: @johnny_mckee15
Twitter: @johnnymckee_15
David Fitzgerald
Name: David Fitzgerald
Position: GK
School: St. Andrews
Club: Monkstown HC
1st Cap: 2010 v France in Cookstown
Favourite sporting moment to date: Qualifying for the 2016 Rio Olympics
Age started playing hockey: 8
Who has had the most influence on your career: Nigel Henderson
Best advice you received from a coach: Trust your abilities
Advice to young hockey players: Enjoy playing and learning the game
Instagram: @fitzygk32
Twitter: @dfitzy23
Jeremy Duncan
Name: Jeremy Duncan
Position: Midfield
School: Kilkenny College
Club: Monkstown HC
1st Cap: 2013 against Spain
Favourite sporting moment to date: For me personally, beating New Zealand in Johannesburg to qualify for the 2019 World Cup. However, watching Tiger Woods win The 2019 Masters was probably the most memorable sporting moment I’ve witnessed.
Age started playing hockey: 4
Who has had the most influence on your career: My parents
Best advice you received from a coach: Have a go.. if it doesn’t come off work as hard as you can to win the ball back
Advice to young hockey players: Aim to be the hardest worker, nail your basics, have fun and express yourself
Instagram: @jeremyduncan20
Twitter: @Jezzebelle20
David Harte
Name: David Harte
Position: GK
Caps: 225
School: Bandon Grammar School
Club: SV Kampong (Holland)
1st Cap: August 2006 v France
Favourite sporting moment to date: Representing Ireland at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games
Age started playing hockey: 12
Who has had the most influence on your career: My family
Best advice you received from a coach: Never to become complacent
Advice to young hockey players: If you want something badly enough, don’t be afraid to go after it!
Instagram: @daveyharte
Twitter: @daveyharte
Daragh Walsh
Name: Daragh Walsh
Position: Midfield
Club: Three Rock Rovers
School: Wesley College
1st Cap: 2017 vs. Pakistan
Favourite sporting moment to date: Playing in the Hockey World Cup in India
Age started playing hockey: 9
Who has had the most influence on your career: Too many to name.
Best advice you received from a coach: Don’t be afraid to make mistakes.
Advice to young hockey players: Watch as much international hockey as possible
Instagram:@Daraghwalsh
Twitter: @daraghjwalsh8
Conor Harte
Name: Conor Harte
Position: Centre Back
Club: Royal Club de Racing Bruxelles
School: Bandon Grammar School
1st Cap: August 2006 vs France
Favourite sporting moment to date: Winning All-Ireland Schools Title, Rio Olympics 2016 and World Cup 2018
Age started playing hockey: 12
Who has had the most influence on your career: Too many people to name
Best advice you received from a coach: Complete 9 out of 10 passes every day passes
Advice to young hockey players: Never underestimate what results hard work can yield
Instagram: @ConorHarte27
Twitter: @ConorHarte27
John Jackson
Name: John Jackson
Position: Defender
School: Ballyclare High School / RBAI
Club: Bath Buccaneers, Mossley Hockey Club
1st Cap: 29th July 2006 versus England
Favourite sporting moment to date: Representing Team Ireland at Rio 2016
Age started playing hockey: 4
Who has had the most influence on your career: Paul Revington, David Ralph and Mossley Hockey Club
Best advice you received from a coach: Accentuate the positives, eliminate the negatives, latch on to the affirmatives
Advice to young hockey players: Be relentlessly positive and positively relentless
Instagram:@johnhjackson3
Twitter: @JohnHJackson3
Ben Walker
Name: Ben Walker
Position: Forward
Caps: 35
School: St. Andrews College
Club: Three Rock Rovers HC
1st Cap: February 2017 vs France in Malaga
Favourite sporting moment to date: Playing in European Championships and EHL
Age started playing hockey: 5
Who has had the most influence on your career: Teammates
Best advice you received from a coach: Trust your ability
Advice to young hockey players: Play to your strengths
Instagram: @benwalker71
Twitter: @benwalker_71
Peter Caruth
Name: Peter Caruth
Position: Forward
School: Gilnahirk Primary (Cabin Hill & Campbell College)
Club: Corinthians Hockey Club
1st Cap: Argentina
Favourite sporting moment to date: Scoring a ridiculous ‘squeeze’ shot and that tiny thing of competing and scoring in an Olympic games
Age started playing hockey: 4
Who has had the most influence on your career: My parents and the Smyth Family
Best advice you received from a coach: Trailer park girls go round the outside’
Advice to young hockey players: You may not make it when your young due to a number of reasons or coaches, but if you want it bad enough and you can play hard but with a smile and a laugh you’ll go a long way.
Instagram: @peteostrich13
Tim Cross
Name: Tim Cross
Position: Defender
Club: HC Tilburg
School: Kew High School (Australia)
1st Cap: 5/4/2015 against Canada
Favourite sporting moment to date: My AFL team (the Magpies) winning the premiership in 2010.
Age started playing hockey: 4
Who has had the most influence on your career: My Grandpa and Jim Irvine
Best advice you received from a coach: Train the way you play
Advice to young hockey players: Make sure to always enjoy what you are doing, and work hard.
Instagram: @timcross04
Twitter: @TimCross04
Ben Palmer
Name: Ben Palmer
Position: Midfield
Club: Instonians HC
School: RBAI
1st Cap:
Favourite sporting moment to date: Training with the Senior Men
Age started playing hockey: 4
Who has had the most influence on your career: My father
Best advice you received from a coach: Mistakes are made so that you can learn from them
Advice to young hockey players: Don’t let the pressure get the better of you; play for enjoyment
Instagram:@palmsmash
Twitter: @BenPalmer98
Conor Beck
Name: Conor Beck
Position: Goalkeeper
Club: University College Cork Men’s Hockey Club (UCC MHC)
School: Villiers Secondary School
1st Cap: U16 v Scotland,22nd March 2016, Glasgow National Hockey Centre
Favourite sporting moment to date: Representing Ireland at u21 level in 2019.
Age started playing hockey: 7 years old
Who has had the most influence on your career: Definitely my father, driving me all over the country to training and games. Wouldn’t be where I am today without him. From a Hockey point of view growing up watching David Harte and seeing a goalie from Munster make it to the very top was a massive inspiration.
Best advice you received from a coach: “On time is late” although not specific to hockey it is a mantra I have always followed. Getting to training and matches early means you are set up well and can get the most out of every session or match.
Advice to young hockey players: Watch as much hockey as possible to learn from the best and don’t forget to enjoy it and most importantly have fun.
Instagram: @cjbeck23
Twitter: @cjbeck23
Sam O’Connor
Name: Sam O’Connor
Position: Sweeper
Club: Glenanne
School: St Benildus College
1st Cap: France, January 2017 in Malaga
Favourite sporting moment to date: Winning the IHL with Glenanne in 2018
Age started playing hockey: 6 years old
Who has had the most influence on your career: My Dad, comes from a very experienced hockey background and helped me a lot through the years.
Best advice you received from a coach: Not every day will you be brilliant on the ball. But on those days if you concentrate hard on your defensive job, the attacking will then follow suit
Advice to young hockey players: Watch as much Top-level hockey as you can and learn from it!
Instagram: @Samoconnor25
Harry Morris
Name: Harry Morris
Position: Forward
Club: Three Rock Rovers
School: St. Columba’s college
Favourite sporting moment to date: Playing in the EHL KO8
Age started playing hockey: 7
Who has had the most influence on your career: My father
What one word describes you: Loud
What qualities make a teammate a good team captain: Hard working, selflessness
Best advice you received from a coach: Play for your teammates not for yourself
Advice to young hockey players: Train how you want to play on match day
Instagram: @harry.morriss
Twitter: @harrymorris777
Robert Sweetnam
Name: Robert Sweetnam
Position: Forward
Club: Cork Cofi
School: Bruce college
1st Cap: Irish u16 v Austria u18
Favourite sporting moment to date: Beating England in the u16 six nations
Age started playing hockey: 7
Best advice you received from a coach: Put any mistake you make behind you and concentrate on the next ball
Advice to young hockey players: Work hard and enjoy the process
Instagram: @Rob_sweetnam02
Jonny Lynch
Name: Jonny Lynch
Position: Midfield
Club: Lisnagarvey
School: Wallace high school
Favourite sporting moment to date: Winning IHL with Lisnagarvey hockey club
Age started playing hockey: 8
Who has had the most influence on your career: Irish international players
Best advice you received from a coach: Never give up
Advice to young hockey players: Stick at it and your chance will come
Instagram: @Jlynch_wyatt
Julian Dale
Name: Julian Dale
Position: Forward
Club: Pembroke Wanderers
School: Bandon Grammar School
1st Cap: 01/12/2016, 1-1 draw against Spain
Favourite sporting moment to date: Playing in the 2018 Azlan Shah Cup
Age started playing hockey: 4
Who has had the most influence on your career: A lot of old school players from Cork Harlequins & CofI
Best advice you received from a coach: Have fun, it makes things easier
Advice to young hockey players: Have fun, it makes things easier
Instagram: @julesbbz
Twitter: @julesbbz
Mark Samuel
Name: Mark Samuel
Position: Defence
Club: UCD
School: Wesley College
Favourite sporting moment to date: Winning the IHL and ISC with Three Rock Rovers in the 2017/18 season
Age started playing hockey: 6
Who has had the most influence on your career: My peers at UCD
Best advice you received from a coach: Play to your strengths
Advice to young hockey players: Ultimately you want to have enjoyment when you play. The more you enjoy the game, the more you’ll progress as a player.
Instagram: @markpjsamuel
Isaac Johnson
Name: Isaac Johnson
Position: Forward
Club: Pembroke Wanderers
School: Newtown School
Favourite sporting moment to date: Scoring the winning goal in the All Ireland Schools 2018 and lifting the Tasmanian trophy with Newtown School for the first time in the school’s history.
Age started playing hockey: 7
Who has had the most influence on your career: My secondary school coach
Best advice you received from a coach: Play with your head up
Advice to young hockey players: Put in extra work when nobody’s watching. Keep a healthy mindset and don’t get involved with people or habits that will negatively affect your progression. Success might not come when or where you would like, but hard work is rewarded.
Instagram: @isaacjohnson9
Alexander Tinney
Name: Alexander Tinney
Position: Defence
Club: Bainbridge hockey club
School: Raphoe, royal and prior, co.Donegal
Favourite sporting moment to date: Playing in the EHL in Barcelona with Banbridge
Age started playing hockey: 5
Who has had the most influence on your career: My Father
Best advice you received from a coach: Trust in my ability and have a bit of confidence
Advice to young hockey players: Keep your head down train and run harder than everyone else
Instagram: @alexandertinney
Ross Smyth
Name: Ross Smyth
Position: Defence
Club: Bandon HC
School: Bandon Grammar School
1st Cap: U16 v Scotland
Favourite sporting moment to date: Winning the triple with Bandon HC in 2018
Age started playing hockey: 6
Who has had the most influence on your career: My Dad
Best advice you received from a coach: Do your own job and the rest will follow
Advice to young hockey players: Play for yourself and no one else
Instagram: @ross__smyth1234
Twitter: @ross__smyth1234
Karl Smyth
Name: Karl Smyth
Position: Midfield, Forward
Club: Bandon Hockey Club
School: Bandon Grammar School
1st Cap: 20th February 2019 vs England u16
Favourite sporting moment to date: Winning the u18 Interpros 2019 and playing in the u16 6 Nations 2019
Age started playing hockey: 7
Who has had the most influence on your career: My dad, he has coached me at many different levels.
Best advice you received from a coach: You cannot change the past, but you can influence the future.
Advice to young hockey players: Be patient, take every opportunity and make the most of it and work hard
Instagram: @k.a.r.l_s.m.y.t.h
Twitter:@karl_smyth3
Iarlaith O’Neill
Name: Iarlaith O’Neill
Position: Goalkeeper
Club: Bandon HC
School: Bandon Grammar School
1st Cap: U18 VS England
Favourite sporting moment to date: Winning the U18 Interpros
Age started playing hockey: 8
Who has had the most influence on your career: Family
Best advice you received from a coach: It’s not a sprint but a marathon
Advice to young hockey players: Enjoy every minute of the sport
Instagram: @iarlaith_oneill
Ben Wallace
Name: Ben Wallace
Position: Defender
Club: Banbridge HC
School: Royal and Prior, Co. Donegal
Favourite sporting moment to date: Playing for Irish U21s in a three nations tournament in New York
Age started playing hockey: 5
Who has had the most influence on your career: My Parents
Best advice you received from a coach: Focus on doing the basics well
Advice to young hockey players: Give 100% during every training session and matches, but most importantly enjoy your hockey
Instagram: @Ben_wallace6
Twitter: @benwallace26
Sam Hyland
Name: Sam Hyland
Position: Midfield
Club: YMCA hockey club
School: Wesley College
Favourite sporting moment to date: Promotion to EYHL with YMCA
Age started playing hockey: 6
Who has had the most influence on your career: Jason Klinkradt
Best advice you received from a coach: Do your best to control the controllables
Advice to young hockey players: Watch as much high-level hockey as possible
Instagram:@samhyland98
Troy Chambers
Name: Troy Chambers
Position: Forward
Club: Lisnagarvey Hockey Club
School: Cookstown High School and Wallace High School
Favourite sporting moment to date: Winning the EYHL men’s hockey league
Age started playing hockey: 11
Who has had the most influence on your career: My Dad
Best advice you received from a coach: Don’t think about a mistake and focus on your next play
Advice to young hockey players: Focus and practice basics, dream big and take every opportunity to get on the pitch
Instagram:@_troychambers
Twitter: @troychambers_
James Milliken
Name: James Milliken
Position: Goalkeeper
Club: Lisnagarvey
School: Friends’ School Lisburn
Favourite sporting moment to date: Winning the Irish Senior Cup for the first time against UCD in September 2020
Age started playing hockey: 7
Who has had the most influence on your career: My goalkeeper coach Raymond Geddis (Geds)
Best advice you received from a coach: “Wait as long as you need to move – then wait one more second” Martijn Drijver
Advice to young hockey players: Don’t feel like you have to take the same path as anyone else to where you want to go
Instagram: @jamesmilliken21
Twitter:@jamesmilliken21
Ben Johnson
Name: Ben Johnson
Position: Mid/Forward
Club: Three Rock Rovers
School: Newtown School Waterford
1st Cap: U16s vs Scotland in 2016
Favourite sporting moment to date: Winning the All Ireland Schoolboys Championship with my school team in 2018.
Age started playing hockey: 8
Who has had the most influence on your career: My Parents
Best advice you received from a coach: To be diligent and enjoy your time on the pitch but also enjoy the off-time as well.
Advice to young hockey players: To be patient and when there is an opportunity to take your game to the next level, take it.
Instagram: @ben.j_j
Twitter:@Benjnson
Scott Dale
Name: Scott Dale
Position: Goalkeeper
Club: Nottingham Trent University Hockey Club
School: Banbridge Academy
1st Cap: U16 six-nation Nottingham 2017 v Spain
Favourite sporting moment to date: Representing Ireland U18 at the U18 euros in Santander and maintaining A division
Age started playing hockey: 13
Who has had the most influence on your career: My Parents
Best advice you received from a coach: Work hard on and off the pitch to reach your goals
Advice to young hockey players: Enjoy playing with your mates and learn from your mistakes
Instagram: @scottdale_ntu
Twitter: @Scotty_Daler
Callum Robson
Name: Callum Robson
Position: Midfield
Club: Crefelder Hockey Tennis Club
School: Sullivan Upper School
1st Cap: 2018 against Germany
Favourite sporting moment to date: Winning the McCullough Cup in my final year of school
Age started playing hockey: 6
Who has had the most influence on your career: There have been many coaches that have influenced my career over the past number of year. However, my primary school teachers, Mrs Harte and Mrs McCartney were the ones who first got me started playing hockey.
Best advice you received from a coach: Train the same way that you play in a match.
Advice to young hockey players: Don’t get disheartened if you aren’t picked for a certain team. Players develop at different rates, so keep working hard and do your best to get selected for the next time.
Instagram: @crobson7
Andrew Salter
Name: Andrew Salter
Position: Defence
Club: Cork C of I
School: Ashton
1st Cap: U16 vs Canada in 2017
Favourite sporting moment to date: Playing in the U18 Six Nations in the Netherlands
Age started playing hockey: 6
Who has had the most influence on your career: David Hobbs
Best advice you received from a coach: Work hard and do the simple things well
Advice to young hockey players: Always play with a positive attitude and make the most out of every training and match
Instagram:@andrewsalter01
Twitter: @AndrewSalter14
Andy Williamson
Name: Andy Williamson
Position: Forward
Club: Lisnagarvey HC
School: Campbell College
Favourite sporting moment to date: Playing in the EHL KO16 / scoring the winner in an ISC
Age started playing hockey: 8
Who has had the most influence on your career: Ronnie Smyth
Best advice you received from a coach: Work hard on the basics and make the most of every opportunity
Advice to young hockey players: Keep putting the work in, make the most of every training session and the opportunities will come!
Instagram: @shandywill9
Twitter: @AndyWilliams0n
Ben Nelson
Name: Ben Nelson
Position: Forward
Club: Lisnagarvey
School: Wallace High School
Favourite sporting moment to date: Irish Senior Cup Champions 2020
Age started playing hockey: 7
Who has had the most influence on your career: My older brothers Daniel and Matthew
Best advice you received from a coach: Train hard, win easy
Advice to young hockey players: Train hard, give your all but always remember to have fun
Instagram: @bnel_wyatt
Twitter:@ben_nelson2000
Cole Chambers
Name: Cole Chambers
Position: Forward
Club: Lisnagarvey HC
School: Wallace High School
Favourite sporting moment to date: Winning the EYHL league with Lisnagarvey
Age started playing hockey: 15
Who has had the most influence on your career: Definitely my family
Best advice you received from a coach: Remember your strengths
Advice to young hockey players: Take every chance you get and set personal targets to aim for
Instagram: @colechambers5
Twitter: @cole_chambers16
Conor Empey
Name: Conor Empey
Position: Midfield
Club: UCD Men’s Hockey Club
School: The High School
Favourite sporting moment to date: Reaching the Irish Senior Cup Final with UCD
Age started playing hockey: 6
Who has had the most influence on your career: My school coach Paul Fitzpatrick
Best advice you received from a coach: Practice what you’re good at, not only what you need to improve.
Advice to young hockey players: Work hard, watch top players closely and try to figure out what makes them the best
Instagram: @conorempey
Evan Jennings
Name: Evan Jennings
Position: Forward
Club: Three Rock Rovers
School: The High School, Dublin
1st Cap: Under 16 Six Nations v Holland
Favourite sporting moment to date: Winning the Senior Schoolboys All Irelands in 2019
Age started playing hockey: 12
Who has had the most influence on your career: Paul Fitzpatrick who introduced me to hockey in 1st year
Best advice you received from a coach: Always play to the final whistle
Advice to young hockey players: Work hard, stay positive and you will enjoy yourself
Instagram: @evanjennings1
Twitter: @evanjennings_
Harry MacMahon
Name: Harry MacMahon
Position: Defence
Club: Three Rock Rovers
School: Wesley College
Favourite sporting moment to date: Captain of Ireland U21s
Age started playing hockey: 7
Who has had the most influence on your career: School Coaches
Best advice you received from a coach: Trust in yourself and your own abilities.
Advice to young hockey players: Believe in yourself, the process and the journey you’re on. Enjoy every moment of being able to play.
Instagram: @harry_macmahon
Twitter:@MacMahonHarry
Ian Balding
Name: Ian Balding
Position: Defence
Club: Waterford
School: Newtown
1st Cap: Irish u16 vs Austria 2018
Favourite sporting moment to date: Captaining Munster to our first interpro win in 13 years
Age started playing hockey: 13
Who has had the most influence on your career: My Dad, no doubt about it
Best advice you received from a coach: “Be the big fundamental”
Advice to young hockey players: Keep getting better one day at a time
Instagram: @Ianbalding89
James Carr
Name: James Carr
Position: Goal Keeper
Club: KHC Leuven
School: St Andrews College
1st Cap: Ireland v France 2015
Favourite sporting moment to date: My first cap and see my goal of playing abroad professionally become reality!
Age started playing hockey: 15
Who has had the most influence on your career: My Dad
Best advice you received from a coach: Enjoy what you are doing! Simple advice but helped my see clearly and play without pressure!
Advice to young hockey players: Nobody cares about excuses, keep your head down and work hard!
Instagram: @jamescarr00
Twitter:@jamescarr00
Kevin O’Dea
Name: Kevin O’Dea
Position: Midfield
Club: Cork C of I
School: Ashton Cork
Favourite sporting moment to date: Winning U18 Interpros with Munster
Age started playing hockey: 9
Who has had the most influence on your career: David Hobbs
Best advice you received from a coach: Hockey is a simple game, don’t overcomplicate it
Advice to young hockey players: You’re never too good to practice basics
Instagram: @kevinodea5
Kyle Marshall
Name: Kyle Marshall
Position: Defence
Club: Beeston HC
School: Markethill High school / Banbridge Academy
Favourite sporting moment to date: Winning the All Ireland’s with Banbridge Academy.
Age started playing hockey: 5
Who has had the most influence on your career: At a young age: Christine Russell
Best advice you received from a coach: Almost always move the ball with your first touch.
Advice to young hockey players: To keep hockey as fun as possible while being committed.
Instagram: @kyle_m10
Twitter:@kyle_m10
Luke Madeley
Name: Luke Madeley
Position: Centre-back
Club: KHC Leuven
School: Wesley College Dublin
1st Cap: June 2017 vs. Pakistan
Favourite sporting moment to date: 3 in a row EYHL Champions with Three Rock Rovers
Age started playing hockey: 4
Who has had the most influence on your career: Niall Denham
Best advice you received from a coach: Always threaten to play forward passes
Advice to young hockey players: Learn from every experience and don’t take playing for granted
Instagram:@lukemadeley1
Twitter: @luke_madeley
Luke Witherow
Name: Luke Witherow
Position: Defence/Midfield
Club: Banbridge Hockey Club
School: Royal and Prior Raphoe
Favourite sporting moment to date: Vice captaining the Ireland U21s at a Europeans
Age started playing hockey: 7
Who has had the most influence on your career: My dad
Best advice you received from a coach: If you want it, work for it!
Advice to young hockey players: Work hard and enjoy yourself
Instagram:@lukewitherow_
Twitter: @witherow_luke
Mark Ingram
Name: Mark Ingram
Position: Goalkeeper
Club: Pembroke Wanders
School: Oatlands College
1st Cap: France 2014
Favourite sporting moment to date: Getting my first cap
Age started playing hockey: 7
Instagram: @markingram93
Twitter: @markiggy93
Mark McNellis
Name: Mark McNellis
Position: Defender
Club: Lisnagarvey HC
School: Wallace High School
Favourite sporting moment to date: Winning the Irish Senior Cup
Age started playing hockey: 8
Who has had the most influence on your career: Parents
Best advice you received from a coach: Back yourself, don’t worry what anyone else thinks
Advice to young hockey players: Make sure you can do the basics well!
Instagram: @markmcnellis
Neal Glassey
Name: Neal Glassey
Position: Midfield
Club: Crefelder HTC.
School: Glengormley High School.
1st Cap: November 2014 vs France.
Favourite sporting moment to date: Beating New Zealand to qualify for the 2018 WC.
Age started playing hockey: 4
Who has had the most influence on your career: Craig Fulton.
Best advice you received from a coach: Trust in your ability and know that you’ve done all you can when it comes to the tournament.
Advice to young hockey players: Enjoy every step of the way and take every opportunity you can.
Instagram:@nealglassey
Twitter:@nealglassey
Neil Byrne
Name: Neil Byrne
Position: Midfield
Club: Glenanne HC
School: St Colmcilles S.N.S
Favourite sporting moment to date: Winning the league with my club my dad and grandad played for.
Age started playing hockey: 5
Who has had the most influence on your career: My parents, Graham Shaw and Shane O’ Donoghue
Best advice you received from a coach: Keep pushing the boundaries and take every moment you get. You may not get another one.
Advice to young hockey players: Keep practicing and try to be a better person and player every time you go to play. And most importantly have fun. This is something you do in your free time so enjoy it.
Instagram:@neil_byrne7
Peter McKibbin
Name: Peter McKibbin
Position: Defender
Club: Grossflottbeker THGC
School: Regent House Grammar School
1st Cap: July 2019 vs Scotland
Favourite sporting moment to date: Getting my first Senior International cap or winning the IHL with Lisnagarvey.
Age started playing hockey: 11
Who has had the most influence on your career: Probably my teachers/coaches from school who first got me interested in playing hockey.
Best advice you received from a coach: Don’t worry about making mistakes, play with freedom.
Advice to young hockey players: Work hard, play and watch as much hockey as you can, but most importantly have fun.
Instagram: @peter_mckibbin
Twitter: @peter_mckibbin
Ryan Spencer
Name: Ryan Spencer
Position: Forward
Club: Monkstown HC
School: St Andrews college Dublin
Favourite sporting moment to date: Playing in 2 All Ireland finals and winning 1
Age started playing hockey: 9
Who has had the most influence on your career: All my coaches
Best advice you received from a coach: To have fun and not worry about little mistakes
Advice to young hockey players: To enjoy yourself and to not beat yourself up after making mistakes
Instagram:@R.Spencer1
Scott Dale
Name: Scott Dale
Position: Goalkeeper
Club: Nottingham Trent University Hockey Club
School: Banbridge Academy
1st Cap: U16 six-nation Nottingham 2017 v Spain
Favourite sporting moment to date: Representing Ireland U18 at the U18 euros in Santander and maintaining A division
Age started playing hockey: 13
Who has had the most influence on your career: My Parents
Best advice you received from a coach: Work hard on and off the pitch to reach your goals
Advice to young hockey players: Enjoy playing with your mates and learn from your mistakes
Instagram: @scottdale_ntu
Twitter: @Scotty_Daler
Seán Bateman
Name: Seán Bateman
Position: Goalkeeper
Club: Cork Church of Ireland
School: Ashton
1st Cap: U16 vs England, February 2019
Favourite sporting moment to date: Playing in the u16 six nations in the Netherlands
Age started playing hockey: 9
Who has had the most influence on your career: David Hobbs my school coach for always backing me and pushing me on
Best advice you received from a coach: No matter how many goals you have conceded always focus fully on the next shot. You may concede 5 goals but still win the game 6-5.
Advice to young hockey players: Push yourself out of your comfort zone and don’t be afraid to learn new things.
Instagram: @seanbateman_
